Extended Preservation of Iron for Transmission

In a transmission microscopy study of iron and dilute iron base alloys, it was determined that it is possible to preserve specimens for extended periods of time. Our specimens were prepunched from 5 to 8 mil sheet to microscope size and annealed for several hours at 700°C. They were then thinned in a glacial acetic-12 percent perchloric acid solution using 10 volts and 20 milliamperes, at a temperature of 8 to 14°C.It was noted that by the use of a cold stage, the same specimen can be observed for periods up to one week without excess contamination. When removal of the specimen from the column becomes necessary, it was observed that a specimen may be kept for later observation in 1,2 dichloroethene or methanol for periods in excess of two weeks.